The synthesis of a new type, high performance polybenzoxazine-ferrite nanocomposite has been reported. A simple aqueous solution based method was developed for preparation of several compositions of Ni1-xZn xFe2O4 (x=0.20-0.60) nanopowders using metal nitrates and EDTA. Benzoxazine monomer was prepared by employing a solvent less method using aniline, paraformaldehyde and bisphenol A as starting materials. Polybenzoxazine-ferrite nanocomposites were prepared by using a solvent casting method followed by thermal curing. The synthesised powders, monomer, polymer and the resultant composites were characterised by using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter, surface area and pore size analyser, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope. X-ray diffraction spectra of the powders revealed the formation of single phase Ni-Zn ferrite, with average crystallite size of about 20-30 nm. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs confirmed the average ferrite particle size as ∼ 30 nm while SEM morphology showed a uniform dispersion of nanoferrite particles in the polybenzoxazine matrix. Room temperature magnetic properties of pure ferrite nanopowders as well as polybenzoxazine-ferrite nanocomposites were measured with a vibrating sample magnetometer. © 2010 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.